Bourchier Mail
School Newsletter - 13th Edition - 10th August 2023
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FROM PRINCIPAL
Dear Families,
I hope the past couple of weeks have treated you well! It's been a fantastic fortnight here at Bourchier PS. Despite some recent wet weather, we've only had one lunch break interrupted by rain and we are starting to see a delightful increase in sunny days, a promising sign of good times ahead.
Beyond the weather, we've had some other exciting highlights at school. Our Year Four students had a fantastic week-long incursion last week, led by members of the Australian Ballet company. Across four sessions, students choreographed and learned routines for four different songs. The progress they made in such a short time was awesome. An extra kudos goes to 4JB for their impressive impromptu performance at last week's assembly. I would like to thank Dani Williamson (Performing Arts) for her efforts in coordinating with the instructors to make the performance possible.
The Ballet team also guided our staff through a memorable after-school workshop focused on incorporating dance and movement to enhance learning outcomes. During the workshop, staff tapped into their creative sides and, much like the Year Fours, choreographed some very groovy dances.
Our Year Three students embarked on a trip to Cussen Park in Tatura with notebooks in hand. Their aim? To gather inspiration for their poems. The outing was a great success, resulting in some great writing. Several students even had the chance to share their poems during Assembly.
Not everyone would know but we have also had a few students participating in Martial Arts Therapy. These sessions emphasise discipline and hard work, instilling the importance of pushing personal boundaries. While challenging, it's been great to see our students grasp the value of such dedication. More lessons are scheduled for this Friday.
Monday's performance is also worth a mention. To start this week we were greeted with a special performance by Paul and his friend Ned. Through captivating yoyo tricks and an inspiring narrative, Paul shared the tale of Ned's triumph over challenges. Most importantly, the message of cultivating one's growth mindset resonated with our students. Never giving up, encouraging others, and always doing one's best – these are values we continue to model to BSPS students. Our Growth Mindset awards that are presented at each assembly further reinforce these principles. If you get a chance please talk to your children about message of the NED performance and what it means to them.
Our Year Five and Six students are also having a blast competing in various sports against local primary schools. Teams for football, soccer, netball, and tee ball have been competing each Wednesday. I've been thoroughly impressed by our Senior Students' dedication and, even more so, their exceptional sportsmanship. Well done!
These represent only a fraction of the events that have unfolded at our school in the past two weeks. There's always an abundance of exciting happenings at school!
Before I finish I just wanted to include a special note of appreciation to everyone using the Kiss and Go parking area on Bourchier Street responsibly. While finding parking before and after school can be challenging, proper use of this area ensures safe drop-offs. New signage is on its way to clarifying that between 8 am and 9 am and 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm, drivers must remain with their vehicles, adhering to a two-minute time limit.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Warm regards,
Gary D'Arma
GRADE 3 CUSSEN PARK
Year 3 students went on an excursion to Cussen Park in Tatura last Thursday. During the day they learnt about sustainability in the wetlands environment as well as bird watching to see how birds are valuable to our environment.
They also spent their time exploring different types of plants and wildlife that live in the wetlands.
THE NED PROGRAM
Our school thoroughly enjoyed a 45-minute assembly on Monday called the NED show. NED is a loveable cartoon character whose name is an acronym for Never give up, Encourage others, and Do your best. Teachers love that NED is simple, relatable, and kid-focused.
Yo-Yo's
The NED program yo-yos have arrived!
Order forms were sent home on Tuesday.
Payments can be made via QKR or correct cash to the front office
pajama day!
During the day they did a lot of fun learning activities together and also got to enjoy a yummy hot chocolate with marshmallows!
2023 Furphy Literary Award
Bourchier Street Primary School would like to congratulate Idylla for her efforts in entering her poem in the 2023 Furphy Literary Award. The Judging panel were blown away with her word choice and creativity. Idylla’s Poem was awarded as highly commended in the Junior Poetry Category.
We hope that Idylla will inspire many of us to write more!!
Kitchen Garden
On the menu for Year 3 in Kitchen Garden:
- Mixed vege and cheese frittata
- Banana and oat pancakes
- Buttermilk pancakes with raspberry butter
The year 4s have had a busy week in kitchen garden.
Making homemade gnocchi topped with a tomato, onion, silverbeet and basil sauce. A delicious olive oil sauce that was soaked up by the little dumplings!
The silverbeet was even harvested from our vegetable garden!
The meal was completed with focaccia that was also homemade.
Picking your child up early from school?
If you wish to collect your child(ren) early from school you must contact our front office prior on 5821 3488 to advise what time.
The office staff will arrange for your child(ren) to be waiting at the front office at the required time.
Having notice avoids any disruption to our students learning time in the classroom.
Please try to arrange any appointments outside of school hours (8.45am-3.15pm)
Your child’s attendance at school is critical for their learning and development.
All children are expected to wear full school uniform
The wearing of school uniform helps children develop a sense of identity with the school community.
The school uniform helps promote a positive image of both students and the school to the general community. The wearing of school uniform promotes equality.
The school uniform is to be worn during school hours, while traveling to and from school, and when the students are on school excursions.
All school uniform must be clearly named so that lost items can be identified.
Jackets and hats can be purchased from the school. Several retail shops stock the entire uniform. The school endeavors to provide pre-loved items at the cheapest possible cost.
Please refer to our Student Dress Code Policy
The Resilience Project have some great ideas for practicing Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness at home. These examples incorporate First Nation's Perspectives to wellbeing.
Bourchier Street Soccer Team
Greater Shepparton Secondary College Y7 Students 2024
Year 7 2024 Family Transition Evening
Greater Shepparton Secondary College Transition and Leadership Team warmly invite you to attend our 2024 Year 7 Family Transition Evening.
Acceptance slip to GSSC must be returned for an enrolment pack to be handed out at Transition evening.
Date: Wednesday 23rd August
Time: 5:30pm – 6.30pm
Venue: Greater Shepparton Secondary College
31-71 Hawdon Street, Shepparton
Information regarding our Year 6 – 7 Transition Program, Year 7 Curriculum, Bus Services and Neighbourhood Selection Processes will be presented at this session.
Year 7 Enrolment packs will be provided to families on this night.
GSSC also have College Tours available to Year 6 students and their families on the following dates:
- Tuesday August 15th 9.30am – 10.15am
- Friday August 18th 9.30am – 10.15am
Dress up for bookweek parade!
Dress up as your favourite book character, walk the red carpet and enjoy the fun activities.
The parade will start at 9.15 am on the asphalt.
Family and Friends are most welcome!
YEAR 6 CANBERRA CAMP Tuesday 28th November - Friday 1st December 2023
Just a reminder to keep up the payments for the Year 6 Canberra Camp via QKR or phone the office to make a payment over the phone.
The Canberra trip is a highlight for the Year 6 students and incorporates many educational activities and some fun experiences such as a pool night, Questacon, rock climbing and a visit to AIS.
GUITAR LESSONS AT BOURCHIER ST
Mr Nick Teague has two vacancies for students wanting to learn the guitar at school. Nick has a degree in Visual Arts, in which he was able to do an elective subject called Comprehensive Musicianship for a year and a half, and received honors for his Fourth Grade AMEB Classical Guitar exam. He is also involved in Gospel music. Nick teaches a range of guitar styles, from Heavy Metal, Rock and Pop, through to Classical Guitar.
- Lessons are run at school and during class time and lunch-time.
- Students eligible: Gr3–Gr6 (but Nick reserves the right to take on younger students, if they are of a particular level of ability).
Parents may email Nick for details on: nick.d.teague@gmail.com
Students being dropped off and picked up from School
Please do not pull into either STAFF CAR PARK to drop your children off or pick them up.
The staff car park is out of bounds and choosing to use these areas is endangering
our children.
We have many teachers entering and exiting the car park before and after school, so this is a child free zone.
The Balaclava Rd. child care centre is a private park, so please refrain from parking there.
Kiss & Go
This is designed for parents to pull in, say goodbye to their children and exit within
2 minutes. Parents are not to leave the car. The council will be monitoring time
limits and will issue fines if parents are not adhering to the rules.
Please respect other people’s private driveways, and adhere to parking signage or you may receive a fine.
Thanks so much
BSPS Breakfast Program - Donations appreciated
Every child is welcome to our Breakfast Program each morning (except Monday), from 8am to 8.45am.
We serve toast, milo & fruit cups for all kids. Something warm just before they go into class during winter, is great for the kids.
This is just a top up, even if they have already had breakfast at home. It is OK for them to come and enjoy the atmosphere with their friends to have just a little more breaky.
school start times
Please make it a priority to arrive at school on time.
Music 8.45am - students make their way to class.
8.55am - class begins.
It is extremely important for our school to keep strict attendance records. If your child/ren arrive to school after 9am they MUST come into the front office to get signed in otherwise our records could show them as absent.
Thankyou
Student Absence Using Compass
When your child is absent from school, please log onto the parent portal, COMPASS and enter the absence along with the reason.
You need a username and password which has been distributed to families, but we can easily resend you the logon details by phoning or emailing the front office Bourchier.ps@education.vic.edu.au
Refer to the instructions below
Alert!!! Head Lice
We have had reported cases of students with live head lice so we are asking parents to be vigilant and check your child/ren’s hair.
We do regular checks at Bourchier Street and any child that is found to have live lice, parents/guardians will be contacted for the child to be collected and treated before returning to school. On returning to school the child will be checked again by staff. This is in accordance with school policy.
Children with long hair are required to
have it tied back.
Information for positive Covid cases
Parents/carers should complete the Student COVID-19 COVID Test Portal if a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test). Where a parent/carer informs the school by phone or written notification, the school should complete the Schools COVID Case Management Tool.
Students who report a positive result are recommended to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test should be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.
CLEARLY NAMED ITEMS
Please ensure that your child’s, clothes, lunch box, drink bottle and property are CLEARLY named. All named property will be returned to the student in the classroom. Unnamed items will be sent to lost property in the hall foyer.
SCHOOL Payment & STATIONERY FOR 2023
Parent payment can be made via QKR
Parent Payment $220 per student
Excursion Levy $75 per student (exlude if you have HCC & completed CSEF form)
If you have a Health Care Card and claimed CSEF, you will receive $125 credit which can be used for camps and excursions only.
BYOD
Our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program allows devices to be brought into the school, and connected to our secure network
Our school has an online BYOD portal organised by JB-Hifi where you can access discounted rates on approved devices. THE PASSWORD IS BSPS23
If you would like more information on the program, please visit the BYOD page on our website or open the attached BYOD toolkit for parents.
Compass
Often Bourchier Street communicates to our families via the Compass app, important information of what is happening within the school. Sometimes you are prompted through your email to open important news items. Please make sure your email is up to date, so you do not miss valuable information. Please phone front office 58 213 488 if your email address needs updating. If your child is absent from School, please logon to Compass to document this.
Qkr!
Every family needs to download the Qkr! app which will enable you to pay school payments, purchase hats/jackets, order lunch through the canteen and purchase tickets for special productions etc.
Simply download on your phone and you will see how easy it is to manage!
Before/After school care at BSPS 0447 010 696
community news
Thank you to our supporters!
link for all Bourchier Street school policies
Attached is the updated Parent Payment Arrangement Policy which was approved by School Council.
Child Safe Policy
Bourchier Street Primary School has a zero tolerance of any form of child abuse. The school is committed to acting in children’s best interests. The safety and wellbeing of children at this school is our highest priority. We want children to be safe, happy and empowered.
About Us
Email: bourchier.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Website: bourchierps.vic.edu.au
Location: 1-19 Bourchier Street, Shepparton VIC, Australia
Phone: (03) 5821 3488
Facebook: facebook.com/bourchierps
Twitter: @bourchierps